Change in ATF Firearms Transfer Form

During the Biden administration, Question 14 of the Alcohol Bureau, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Firearms Transfer Form 4473 was revised to include a third option for gender—”non-binary”—in addition to “male” and “female.”

This form is essential for gun buyers as it initiates the background check process necessary for all retail firearm purchases.

It contains queries about whether the buyer is the rightful purchaser of the firearm (Question 21a), if they have any felony convictions (Question 21c), and if they are using or addicted to certain controlled substances (Question 21f).

If the buyer indicates they are not the actual purchaser, the transaction will be halted. The same occurs if they disclose a felony record or illegal substance use.

Moreover, Question 21G aims to assess buyers’ mental health and may prevent firearm purchases based on mental illness.

Historically, Form 4473 only asked buyers to identify as male or female, but the recent addition of the “non-binary” option marks a significant change.

Licensed gun dealers are still provided some latitude regarding sales and can refuse to sell firearms based on the “non-binary” selection, particularly if mental health concerns arise.

George Ulmston, the owner of Cave Creek Guns, expressed to Breitbart News that he anticipates a similar approach with the upcoming transgender gun ban by the DOJ. He believes that labeling transgenderism as a mental illness could empower licensed dealers to decline firearms sales to biological men identifying as women.